Hi, any tricks for acclimating a youngster to leg wraps? I have been getting my yearling used to lots of new things but have not tried leg wraps yet. I am hoping to get her used to shipping wraps for a longer trailer ride in August. She is loading and hauling like a champ!
You may want to start with something like splint boots with velcro closures instead of actual leg wraps to start. Boots go on quick, off quick, stay in place as baby learns to stand better, move without exaggerated leg lifting or kicking… Shouldn’t take long. It is getting baby to stand WELL, quietly, for the wrapping that is the hardest. You don’t want wraps too tight or loose to fall down in movement. Then he can trip or get hung up by the wrap to be hurt.
And make sure he’s well acclimated to the sound of velcro ripping apart before you put boots on 
Of course, there are also boots that buckle.
But I agree, boots first. I’d hope that a yearling knows how to stand still long enough by now though, as he’d have been standing to get feet done 
But there is a difference between standing with a leg off the ground, and standing to have something wrapped around it. So start with boots for the feel.
First, can you touch the legs with a whip with a piece of anything on the end? Then you rub the leg with a towel, starting at the body. Quickly and quietly wrap the leg quickly with the towel and praise. Slowly increase the pressure and length of time. Always remove before any negative behavior happens. Then add a pair of boots if needed, but mine have always been fine wrapping after being rubbed down with the towel. I don’t use velcro on my standing wraps. But to get them used to that I started using a bag that closes with velcro and was loud. I started keeping treats in it and every time it opened they got a treat. Takes just a few times till they ignore the sound.
Assuming they are used to having their legs handled, I’ve never had standing wraps or galloping boots be an issue. I have seen a couple of horses really object to shipping boots though (either they “can’t” move at all or they act a little panicky)! I always wrap or put boots on the first time in a stall and leave the horse loose in the stall to get used to the feeling.
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I would wear a helmet I would make sure the horse is tired, not fresh. Do this in a place where you have room to step aside if the horse freaks out.
I saved the old pony polos for this purpose.
Let the horse used to the ripping velcro sound down by his legs with praise and treats.
Cut old polo wrap to just 6-8 inches of wrap plus the velcro. rub it all over the leg.
Wrap it and secure it, mid cannon bone.
Throw some hay for horse to eat while getting used to the 1 wrap.
If the horse is okay add cut off wraps to other legs, one at a time, following the same steps.
Let horse wear wraps for a half hour or so, then walk him in a confined space, if that goes well let horse trot.
In the location you put wraps on, re-acquaint the horse with the velco sound.
Give a treat and unwrap a leg while he is chewing. repeat foe other legs.
It is better to have success with one leg and quit, than get all four wrapped and the horse explodes.
When the horse is okay with the short polo switch to regular polo one leg at a time.
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LOTS of great ideas folks, thanks!
Depending on the horse it’s really not that big of a deal…usually. If your horse is super sensitive I would follow advise of CSaper, but that is an extremely cautious route. I’ve had many youngsters and usually they just walk funny for a few steps and that’s it. I’ve never had an explosion occur from polo wraps or standing wraps, but maybe I’m lucky. The Velcro will get them to jump though in my experience.
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